Need Expert Advice on a Diamond

[khalisearcher]

Hello Dear Pricescopers,
A few weeks back I started looking for a diamond for my wife. I looked at a few stores and then started looking online after a friend's suggestion. I did a lot of research and educated myself through this great website and I thought I knew what I needed to know to buy a great diamond. Based on what I learned, I started looking for a diamond with the following specs.

Color: G or better
Clarity: VS2 or better
Cut: Excellent (GIA)
Fluorescence: Medium or less
Table: 54% to 58%
Crown: 60% to 62.9%
Cert: GIA

After looking at WF, BN, JA and other websites, I finally ordered the following diamond from BN.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04747654?eid=1620&emailaddress=adharw%40gmail.com&sourceid=34436&ver=1.1

When I received the diamond, I was quite happy and the diamond looked very good until I tool it to a few stores over the weekend. I compared to what Zales and other stores showed me and this looked not nearly as bright compared to and H and I color from Zales. I compared it to costco diamonds (I color), same thing. My wife compared with her friend, who had a yellowish color diamond (probably H or I color) but hers looked brighter than our stone.

I also noticed there is some kind of cloud on the table. Although, I have to tell you that under the light, I could see very good arrows pattern. The only difference I can think of is that my ring is on a six prong setting compared to 4 prong everything else that I have seen. Can anybody advice why this diamond would have less brilliance than other store brands.

I am now thinking that may be buying online was a mistake and I should return the diamond and look in stores. But before I do that I would like experts' opinion on this particular diamond and any suggestions on what I am missing or what I should be looking for in my next diamond.

Your help is really appreciated.

 

[ecf8503]

GIA ecellent cut grade is far too broad. Although this is a GIA XXX, this is one of those stones that is not so excellent. If you plug all the numbers into the HCA, it scores a 3.7 (only worth buying if the price is right,). It's not a super ideal cut, and is likely leaking light that is therefore not returned to your eye. Blue Nile does not offer idealscope imaging, but if it did you would see it is less than optimal.

Lighting has a lot to do with it is well. But no lighting will make this particular stone look like an ideal cut. The number of prongs has no bearing in this case either.

I would return it and start over. Look at some of the vendors here - Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, Crafted by Infinity, Good Old Gold, etc - they all perform numerous tests on their stones to show you exactly how well they perform. Whatever you do, do NOT buy from the likes of Zales, etc. Their stones are poorly graded, and will not have the contrast and scintillation and fire you want. What you saw in reference to "brightness" is likely inclusions. Regardless of color. They also are likely not ideal cuts, so the amount of on/off flash of the facets is diminished, making it look "white" all the time, at the expense of the light play and colored light return ideal cuts are known for.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Buying online was not your mistake.

Your mistake was buying a stone sight unseen online, without any of the relevant information you need to determine if the stone is worthwhile or not. You're essentially buying blind, hoping you (by chance) pick a winner.

Can't tell you why the current diamond isn't a winner, but you're seeing it with your own eyes and it isn't.

Return it.

Here is an example of an option that would provide the same size, similar color, and equally eye-clean, for the same price. The difference? This one has a guaranteed top-notch cut:

1.184ct, H, SI2 - A Cut Above (confirmed eye-clean)
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3157624.htm


Avoid BN, unless you're buying something from their Signature line.

Stick with vendors that provide you with the light performance info you need to make an informed decision.

 

[khalisearcher]

Thanks for the great advice.

Besides the cut which I realize might not be the best, is there any reason why the table would be cloudy?

Also, if GIA is not the right indication of cut, what should I be looking at. Is the criteria I mentioned above the right criteria to look at (table, depth etc) or should I just go by the HCA cut to screen instead of individual dimensions? Or is it HCA + AGA? Hearts & Arrows?

thanks.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Thanks for the great advice.

Besides the cut which I realize might not be the best, is there any reason why the table would be cloudy?

Also, if GIA is not the right indication of cut, what should I be looking at. Is the criteria I mentioned above the right criteria to look at (table, depth etc) or should I just go by the HCA cut to screen instead of individual dimensions? Or is it HCA + AGA? Hearts & Arrows?

thanks.

I don't have a good answer on why the table might be cloudy. Possibly dirty or there is a smudge? Shouldn't be due to the inclusions, as it is a VS1 stone.

GIA stones can be fine, but you would need additional details (light performance analysis, real photos, etc.) to make an informed decision.

Nothing wrong with the numbers you're using, but it is impossible to determine a stone's performance based on numbers alone (GIA also rounds their numbers, which means that the numbers on the cert may not be as precise as you'd like).

I would suggest sticking with a vendor that can provide images and light performance analysis. Good Old Gold, Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, High Performance Diamonds are four great options, where all of the data you need to make your decision is available.

If you'd like a critique on a specific stone, or would like some options (just provide some budgetary info and general parameters), post it here and we'll see what can be done!

 

[khalisearcher]

Thanks! RockyRacoon

I would appreciate the help in providing some options. Here is what I am looking for.

Budget ~$8000

Size: 1.1- 1.2 caret
Color : G or above
Clarity: VS2 or better

At least, that is my wish list. If I cannot find anything good, I might go down to SI1.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Thanks! RockyRacoon

I would appreciate the help in providing some options. Here is what I am looking for.

Budget ~$8000

Size: 1.1- 1.2 caret
Color : G or above
Clarity: VS2 or better

At least, that is my wish list. If I cannot find anything good, I might go down to SI1.

Here's what I was able to find (the stone above is still a good pick, too):

1.113ct, H, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.113-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104066186026

1.03ct, H, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10986/

Have you considered a stone with a different flavor of cut? These August Vintage Rounds are great stones and a nice, unique alternative to MRB stones:
1.06ct, H, SI2 - August Vintage
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9595/

 

[khalisearcher]

Ok. Thanks. I will look these up.